Flap-lag-torsion flutter analysis of a constant life rotor

The constant lift rotor (CLR) employs a control input of pitch moment to several airfoil sections which are free to pivot on a continuous spar, allowing them to change their pitch to obtain the desired lift. A flap-lag-torsion flutter analysis of a constant lift rotor blade in hover was developed. The blade model assumes rigid body flap and lead-lag motions at the root hinge and each strip undergoes an independent torsional motion. The results are presented in terms of root locus plots of complex eigenvalues as a function of thrust. The effects of several parameters (including structural damping, center of gravity and elastic axis offset from aerodynamic center, compressibility pitch-lag and pitch-flap coupling) on the blade dynamics are examined. With a suitable combination of lag damper and pitch-flap coupling, it is possible to design a constant lift rotor blade free from flutter instability.